Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-09-01
CHAPTER v.

CHAPTER v.
Twas already up and dressed when Mag
gle appeared next morning.
'Why, miss, yer an early riser,n was her
cheerful comment. "Young ones don't
generally get up without being called
dozen times or So" she went on; "but your
different kind, see"
scarcely knew how to reply to this COM
pliment from my friend, so wisely kept 81
lence.
''You will come to breakfast now, if you
please" she said, opening the door and
stepping out into the hall. l followed her
through the hall and past the room knew
to be the breakfast room of the family.
''You are making mistake, Maggie"
said, pausing. Maggie hesitated one in
slant before she answered me.
"Mrs. Clayton said you were to eat with
u.s." she said, hastily, and, opening side
door, led me into tho servants hall, where,
already seated, were the other domestics Of
the family. They greeted me in a friendly
manner, and Maggie gave me a seat by her
side. Grace was said by the housekeeper, a
venerable woman, whose hair afterward
learned had grown white in the service OF
the Caledons.
The meal passed pleasantly, and, to tell
the truth, enjoyed it much more than l
had the cold silent breakfast ! had taken
with the family the morning before.
After breakfast, as was preparing to &c
upstairs TO the school-room, Maggie in
formed me that it had been decided should
attend day school short distance away.
'Mrs. Clayton thought it best" she said.
This then was to be my lot among them
place among the servants and not even to
be taught by the Same teacher. My heart
rebelled at this fresh insult. Child though
was, felt my blood Jingle and my cheeks
burn with pride and anger. But / remem-
bered had ever been dependent upon the
charity of others, and should not complain il
things were not quite to my mind. So
dressed myself with tolerable composure,
after ALL ! had been supplied with SUM-
Gent clothing since my arrival hero, but,
though these clothes wore not much soiled,
l saw at once they were cast-of garments OF
some one, probably lima Barrett. Ny pride
took fire at this. / would not touch them. l
donned the checked gingham / had worn
at the home, pSeferring this to the CASTOR
silks or cashmeres Of this scornful little
lady. Twas not as handsome as she, nor
had as fine raiment, but my pride, l am
sorry to say, quite equsled her own.
l then gathered up the books with which
had been supplied, and repaired TO the
kitchen, where Maggie kindly volunteered
to accompany me TO school and get
me settled, as she expressed it. On our
way out / noticed q carriage drawn up be-
fore the front entrance, and standing on
the balcony was Irma Barrett, dressed for
going out She was attred in some light
blue material that suited her fair skin and
golden hair to perfection. Her little hands
were daintily gloved and she wore kid boots,
light and small enough for fairy. She was
hut ohka6
not deign TO notice me, even by look, as /
passed in company with Maggie. sighed.
How beautiful she was; ''she had every
thing; had nothing at al, +" said bitterly,
as trtldgod on by Haggie's side.
The school building was low, white,
structure standing among the trees and
situated on the road leading to the city.
There were O good many children gathered
around the steps as we came up; but had
been used to children all my life and their
presence did not disturb me. We entered
the school-room; pleasantfaced lady arose
from her desk to greet US, and thought
her voice the sweetest had ever heard.
In few words Maggie informed her who
I was and of my intention Of attending
school, all Of whiHl the lady listened to with
respectful attention. And then, with kind
smile, babe me welcome to her school, hop
looked over my books and designated the
lessons should learn. And then, Maggie
having departed, she rang the bell, at which
the scholars came trooping in and taking
their seats hush fell upon tho school as,
with rapt attention, the scholars listened TO
their teacher who, in the same sweet voice,
read chapter from the Bible, after which
she repeated simple prayer. The scholars
then proceeded TO their desks, but with no
hustle or nofse, as ia common in country
schools 1t was indeed q pleasant school.
The teacher was so kind, her instruction so
simple and yet instructive and interesting,
I could not help contrasting it with the dry,
dull and irksome teaching Of the day before.
Our teachers name was Amy Lester; she
lived in o tiny cottage just back OF the
schooi-house with her mother, who was an
invalid and unable to do work Of any kind.
Amy supported them both by her teaching
and her drawing, for she was quite an art
ist; and happier, more contonted couple
than Amy and her mother, would have been
hard to find.
Ny first day ut school passed pleasantly
enough and / returned home in quite q
cheerful frame Of mind But alas my
cheerfulness was Of short duration. As /
entered the yard, I found the children en-
ioying themselves under the shade Of
great h0rse-cheStnut tna< grew near the
gate Thsy were engaged in jumping
rope, and as this was q sport In which l
greatly delighted, ] stopped moment 70
watch them.
'ewhy, helloaw cried Irving, when he
sav me, and then assuming an air of great
friendliness, he wanted me TO iotn in the
game. hesitated, remembering his ieer-
ing remarks of yesterday; but did % want
to be friendly in this house, where IT seemed
destined was to dwell, that was willing
TO venture any thing almost 70 gain Is. Ac-
coraingly, approached and spoke 70 BERTHE.
who greeted me kindly in return
"Here, now, il you want to jump cried
Irving He gave oae end OF the rope 70 his
sister and they commenced slowly swinging
it at the same time urging me- to jump
advanced, and by quick movement gained
the center, but at that instant with wicked